2018 FIAT 500 vs 2018 Volkswagen Beetle

2018 FIAT 500

2018 Volkswagen Beetle

Select style

1957 Edition Hatch

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
500 1957 Edition Hatch	28	33	$19,371	$19,745
500 Abarth Hatch	28	33	$20,073	$20,495
500 Lounge Hatch	28	33	$19,371	$19,745
500 Pop Hatch	28	33	$16,098	$16,245
500c 1957 Edition Cabrio	28	33	$20,769	$21,240
500c Abarth Cabrio	28	33	$21,471	$21,990
500c Lounge Cabrio	28	33	$20,769	$21,240
500c Pop Cabrio	28	33	$17,496	$17,740

Select style

Coast Automatic

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Beetle Coast Automatic	26	33	$22,194	$23,120
Beetle Dune Automatic	26	34	$25,719	$26,790
Beetle S Automatic	26	33	$19,411	$20,220
Beetle SE Automatic	26	33	$23,058	$24,020

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$19,371

$22,194

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$19,745

$23,120

Monthly Payment Estimate

$329 / month

$385 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

4.8

Read Our Full Review

6.5

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2018 Fiat 500 packs more punch this year, but it’s still a statement of style over some substance.

The 2018 Volkswagen Beetle is a competent small car that’s showing its age. The same could be said for every other Beetle on the road and that hasn’t stopped it yet, has it?

TCC Likes

Charming style
Rorty fun in Abarth trim
More power this year

Relative value among small cars
Superlative warranty
Smooth ride

TCC Dislikes

Not fuel efficient
Not spacious either
Poor crash-test scores

Style isn’t for everyone
Chintzy interior materials
No more R-Line engine

Fuel Economy

City

28 mpg

26 mpg

Highway

33 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Minicompact Cars

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Volume (ft³)

75.5

85.1

Second Shoulder Room (in)

46.4

Front Leg Room (in)

40.7

41.3

Front Hip Room (in)

47.9

Passenger Capacity

Second Leg Room (in)

31.7

31.4

Front Head Room (in)

38.9

39.4

Second Hip Room (in)

42.6

Front Shoulder Room (in)

49.4

55.3

Second Head Room (in)

35.6

37.1

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

59.8

58.6

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.1

Wheelbase (in)

90.6

100.1

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

64.1

71.9

Track Width, Front (in)

55.4

62.2

Min Ground Clearance (in)

4.1

5.7

Length, Overall (in)

139.6

168.8

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

30.1

29.9

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

9.5

15.4

Brakes

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

9.4

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.1

11.3

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

10.5

14.5

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

30.6

35.4

Tires

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P195/45HR16

P215/55HR17

Rear Tire Order Code

T1D

Front Tire Size

P195/45HR16

P215/55HR17

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

T1D

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2366

3020

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

16 X 6.5

17 X 7

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

16 X 6.5

17 X 7

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

500

330

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

120

140

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

150 @ 2400

184 @ 1500

Engine Order Code

EAM

Displacement

1.4 L/83

2.0 L/121

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

135 @ 5500

174 @ 5000

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Sequential MPI

Gasoline Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.91

4.46

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.35

3.23

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.52

1.56

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.87

0.85

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.91

3.19

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.24

2.51

Trans Order Code

DDE

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.16

1.14

Trans Description Cont.

Manual w/OD

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.67

Summary

Vehicle Name

FIAT 500

Volkswagen Beetle

Body Style

Hatchback

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear

Torsion Beam

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Torsion Beam

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

5.9

6.1

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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